​Resident's Page

​On love of family Pope Francis reveals to each individual catholic, in particular, to have a constant act of self-examination in order to live his and or her life in light of the Christian faith.

In the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, self-examination is an act in spirit to gradually grow in the presence of God through faith and personal experience with things we encounter daily. In the process of encountering God, one enters into his or her own situation and sees the movement of the spirit and discerns what is good and what is not. What is good is not contrary to the love of God revealed in Christ.

In the context of family life, one encounters himself or herself through the family life experiences. He arises from the openness to the Spirit as the only director of his spiritual journey to meet with and see from a closer look his own soul in relationship with his mother and father, the first beloved ones from whom he is generated. By locating his parental environment from where he has developed and so is to be now, he sees and tastes his life full of struggles and joy. In doing so, he hopefully finds a clearer manifestation of himself than ever before. He accepts (or even rejects) what is the truth and what is not the truth he finds. He lets the truth speaks and be his judge, not to condemn, but to liberate with mercy, the balm of spiritual liberation of those who ask with sincere heart. (#296)

However, due to the complexity and even complicated process “in finding God in all things”, especially in the family life, Amoris Laetitia, is again an invitation from the Holy Father to enter into a deeper look and understanding of God’s love and tenderness shared with God’s families. It is not an easy and short but large reading with different issues. It really needs a prayerful and contemplative participation in forming the conscience and spiritual life of each one of us which is the Mystical Body of Christ.

Let’s welcome the Joy of Love exhortation with open heart, patience and faith.

Alex Sila SVD

Fr. Alex Sila is from West Timor, Indonesia. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at St. Matthew Church in Corona, CA.